Academic Summer Camps

Academic Summer Camps

Make new friends and learn new skills while having fun!

Each summer, hundreds of young people from the Capital Region gather at Siena College to enjoy a variety of camp experiences, make new friends, and learn new skills while having fun. Many of our camps are directed by full-time Siena faculty members who wish to share their expertise and love for teaching with our campers. Registering for camp is easy when you use our online registration process.

We hope that you find the perfect camp for you and we look forward to welcoming you to the Siena campus this summer!

Electronic Music Lab

June 27 – July 1 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages 9 – 14

Learn the fundamentals of computer music production through a series of hands-on projects and challenges designed to promote creativity, problem solving and technical abilities. Campers will learn about MIDI, digital audio, microphones, looping, mixing, effects, DIY musical instruments and more! At the end of the camp, students will have a copy of their production to take home.

Making Mods for Minecraft

June 27 – July 1 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Grades 6 – 10

Minecraft is fun, but if you want to learn how to add your own content, alter gameplay, change the creative feel, or give the player more options in how they interact with Minecraft worlds, then come join us for Making Mods! Some experience with Minecraft is required. Experience with Java programming is not required, but some familiarity using Java is recommended.

Robotics

June 27 – July 1 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages 9 – 14

Think and learn like scientists and engineers who solve problems by building and programming robots. Robots are used in science in a multitude of ways from designing land rovers for missions to Mars to using microbots in surgical procedures. Students will be presented with a series of scientific problems and then build and program their robots to solve them. Participants will use the LEGO Mindstorms NXT system to build a robot and the programming language EV3 to make the robot perform certain actions. Appropriate for campers with or without previous experience.

Adventures in Art

July 11 – 15 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages 9 – 14

Have fun exploring and creating art with local artist and Siena instructor Katria Foster. Campers will get to know other young artists like themselves, work with an array of art materials, explore the art of professional artists, become acquainted with the Creative Arts at Siena College, and so much more. (Combine this camp with the Geo-Create afternoon camp and save $50. You must register for both camps to receive the discount.)

Famous Battles in Minecraft

July 11 – 15 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages 9 – 14

Recreate different battles from history in Minecraft including the battle of Saratoga from the Revolutionary War and the battle of Gettysburg from the Civil War, along with other historic battles. At the end of each day, we will finish with a battle -- yes, fighting in Minecraft!

Raspberry Pi – Take-home Linux Computer

July 11 – 15 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages 9 – 14

Learn the Linux operating system, Python programming language, how to use the GPIO inputs and outputs to control lights and sounds, a program called Motion for video capture and recording, and more with this inexpensive Linux computer.

Building Structures in Minecraft

Each day we will embark on a new building challenge. We'll build the Siena College campus, a house integrated into the landscape of the biome, as well as some other surprises.

Introduction to Game Design & App Development

July 25 – 29 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Ages: 9 – 14

Learn the fundamentals of game design and interactive app development through a series of hands-on projects and challenges designed to promote creativity, problem solving and technical abilities. Students will learn the basics of coding to produce games and apps with a series of open-source, freely available tools. After camp, students will be able to continue working on their projects at home.

Siena Math Camp (Grades 9 - 12)

August 1 – 5 / 9 am – 1 pm / Tuition: $300 / Grades 9 – 12

Campers will be introduced to advanced mathematical subjects through discovery methods and collaborative learning, with a goal toward improving problem solving skills and instilling a passion for mathematics through puzzles and mathematically oriented games. A typical day includes two lectures (in topics such as Geometry, Combinatorics, and Number Theory), a problem-solving session, and a game-and-puzzles session.